Wedding Cakes
Your wedding cake is a big part of your wedding and something everyone will remember. It will feature in many of your wedding photographs, which you will look at for years to come... so take some time to choose the perfect wedding cake.
Generally, you should order your wedding cake at least 6 - 8 months prior to the wedding date, particularly if you already have your heart set on a cake designer. Consider contacting them before this time period to reserve your date.
When deciding which cake is right for your perfect day, here are some things to consider...
Your Wedding Date
The date, time and location of your wedding is crucial when choosing your wedding cake.
If you plan on having a summer wedding or a wedding in a hot location, stay away from mousses or ice cream cakes . Be sure to ask your wedding cake professional what types of cake are right for your wedding weather. Wedding Cake By: How Sweet It Is
Wedding Cake Design
The traditional wedding cake is fruit cake, either round or square, blanketed in marzipan and white royal icing.
Today’s couples are opting for multiple flavours in their tiers, with a mix of chocolate cake and sponge creeping in.
Your wedding cake should be as individual as you and is limited only by your imagination.
Some couples design their wedding cake around the style, decor or theme of their wedding, whilst others make it a reflection of their personality and give their cake a unique look with crazy and outrageous decorations that define their personality and who they are. You can be as creative and unique as you like...your wedding cake is an expression of your individuality. Today, just about anything goes including cupcake towers.
It is important that your wedding cake works well with the ambiance of your wedding reception surroundings. A white wedding cake may look spectacular in a colourful environment but may require some special colour elements or texture in the flowers and icing, or it may get lost.
For wedding cake ideas, look through sample cake pictures of our wedding cake professionals, confectioners and bakers. Wedding magazines are also a great way to find your perfect wedding cake design. If you do not find something that you like, you can always be adventurous and design your own cake.
Wedding Cake Shape & Size
Wedding cakes come in all shapes and sizes.
The traditional shape of the wedding cake is either round or square, however don’t let your imagination stop there...many bakers offer oval, hexagon, bell and heart shapes.
Creative wedding cake bakers can make magnificent castles, carousels or lighthouses (for weddings by the beach). However if you choose a creative theme cake like these, consider how the cakes will be cut...a square or round cake can be cut easier, served faster and may also serve more guests.
The most important factor in deciding how large your wedding cake is knowing how many guests you will have. Your baker will ask you for your guest numbers to determine the size and amount of cakes required and what your budget is. If you are planning to save some cake for guests who are unable to attend or to send some to family and/or friends interstate, include them in determining the number of people your cake should cater for.
It is also important to consider what your guest list consists of in terms of population cross section. In general, older guests prefer fruit cake, whilst younger people prefer sponge. The important point here is that this choice dictates the size of the cake, as you will need roughly twice the amount of sponge cake to fruit. It also affects the design options you will have available as there are considerations involved with stacking sponge cakes on top of each other.
Wedding Cake Icing & Decoration
When it comes to decoration, your choices are endless. Brides are taking a particular element of their wedding decor and designing the wedding cake around that theme. For example, consider using the lace or detailing from your wedding dress into the design of your wedding cake. Take in a picture of your dress and ask your baker to incorporate the lace, embroidery appliqué or pearl beading detail into the wedding cake.
Your wedding cake can also be decorated with pastiage flowers (that look like porcelain), silk flowers or fresh flowers. Ribbons, flowers, bells, bows and swirls can be created from pulled or blown sugar, icing, pastiage or a combination of tasty ingredients and the real thing.
If you have chosen to use flowers to enhance or decorate your wedding cake, discuss these plans with your florist who can co-ordinate with your baker. Your florist can also advise you which flowers will hold their shape and colour better and make certain that those used are free from chemicals such as pesticides.
Always in style is basket weave icing, available in varying widths and treatments. This is a great choice for outdoor spring or summer weddings accented with fresh flowers.
For winter cakes, consider sugared fruit and autumn leaves on square layers stacked neatly on top of one another or perhaps edible snowflakes.
Square shaped cakes can be decorated in the style of gift boxes in beautiful designs with cascading ribbons.
Wedding Cake Flavours
Whilst it is important that your wedding is appealing visually, what is most important is that it also tastes good.
Depending on the style of your wedding cake, there are many options...vanilla or chocolate, fruit cake or sponge cake, cheesecakes, and wedding cakes with mousse filling. The fillings can get even more enticing with flavours such as raspberry, coconut, strawberry, lemon, mocha and white chocolate cream.
If you can't make up your mind and you are having a wedding cake with multiple tiers, consider choosing different kinds of cake for each tier... something for everyone!.
When selecting your wedding cake, remember to take into account guests that may have serious allergies such as gluten intolerance and nut allergies that would leave them unable to enjoy a slice of your delicious wedding cake. These allergies are the most common and can easily be worked around by asking your wedding cake supplier to make one tier gluten or nut free.
Choosing The Right Wedding Cake Designer / Baker
When choosing a cake designer or baker, consider these things before making your final selection...
- view photographs of the designer's/baker's recent work to gauge the quality and workmanship of the finished products
- ask for references from previous couples that have used their services (this is your best guide in regards to how accommodating, professional, and reliable they are
- schedule a cake consultation to include product tasting
- are the cakes baked fresh in advance or frozen
- what ingredients will go into making the cake (there is no substitute for real whipped cream, real butter for buttercream frosting or fresh fruit)
- check the mode of transport for warmer months
- how many cakes are designed per weekend
- are fresh flowers included in the price
- is there a delivery or set up fee
- are there rental or other extra fees for cake stands or pillars
- are the cakes priced by design or by the serve
